John R. Hawkins, who for 12 years was chief of the Cal Fire Riverside Unit and the Riverside County Fire Department, was suddenly removed from his post on Friday, a Cal Fire spokesman said Friday night.

Daniel Talbot, a deputy chief, on Friday took over as interim county fire chief until a permanent replacement is found, said Mike Mohler, a Cal Fire spokesman.

Information about why the change in leadership was made will be “forthcoming,” Mohler said, but no further information was available Friday night.

Reached by telephone Friday night, Hawkins had no comment on the events of Friday. When asked if he would be moving to another post within Cal Fire, he answered, “I don’t know.”

Mohler said Hawkins is still employed by Cal Fire.

Supervisor Kevin Jeffries said on his Facebook page, that “while I can’t speak officially for the entire Riverside County Board of Supervisors, I think I can safely say that we would like to thank Fire Chief John Hawkins for his incredible service to Riverside County and numerous cities. He has led our county (and many parts of the state) through terrible wildland fires, floods, tough budgets and severe growing pains…”

Firefighters battle to save homes as the Canyon Fire 1 burns on San Ramon Drive in Corona on Sept. 25, 2017. Then-Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Chief John Hawkins said those living in residential neighborhoods near wildland areas should anticipate more of these fires in 2018 and should be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice.<br />File photo by Watchara Phomicinda/The Press-Enterprise/SCNG

The change happened so quickly that the Riverside County Fire Department website on Friday night still displayed a chief’s message from Hawkins that was posted in 2016.

“Across the 7,206 square miles of Riverside County, we serve you from 92 fire stations; including 2 volunteer fire stations; for a total of 94 fire stations,” Hawkins said in that message.

During his career, Hawkins was recognized by the Center for Public Safety Excellence as a Chief Fire Officer (CFO), certified California Fire Chief, certified Chief Fire Officer and a graduate of the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program.

Then-Riverside County Fire Chief John Hawkins addresses the county Board of Supervisors.

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